VANDALS have caused "soul destroying" damage to Tenbury's bowling green, in Palmer's Meadow, just weeks after expensive maintenance had been carried out in preparation for the forthcoming season.

Bicycles were ridden over the green, owned by Tenbury Town Council, causing indentations to the surface that has recently been treated by a specialist contractor at the cost of around £2,000.

Councillor Margaret Austin, who was in charge of locking up the green in the absence of the town council's groundsman, was saddened to discover the damage.

"The groundsman will have a shock when he gets back," she said.

"When I went to lock up I saw tyre marks all over the green and also on the outside of the tennis court where the benches are.

"There are not meant to be cycles there at all.

"There are notices up and I don't know why people cannot observe them."

Coun John Ryder said the town council had invested a significant amount of time and money to improve the recreational facilities.

"A lot of money has been spent and it is soul destroying to see this being done," he added.

"It is a serious matter and the indentations are quite severe. You cannot just rake it over and forget about it."

Coun Ryder said he did not know whether the start of the season in April would be affected.

"It is very soft ground that has just been levelled with special sand," he explained.

"It is a matter of conjecture as to whether the start of the season would be affected."

Members of the Burgage Bowling League and Tenbury Bowls Club use the green and have expressed their disappointment at the damage.

Dennis Bradley, a committee member of Tenbury Bowling Club, said: "Nothing has happened to this extent before, although you do get a little bit of trouble.

"It's very disheartening as the town council has spent a lot of money on it and it had really brought it up to scratch," he said.

It is estimated the damage was done between mid morning and 5.30pm on Wednesday, February 15.